Waterproof watch



June 29, 1954 T. M. wAcHTER WATERPROOF WATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug.1, 1947 ATTORNEYS INVENTOR Tfff/QEJ/A /Z #VAC/WE@ BY mi 6cm* lwf'm' June29, 1954 'rA M WACHTER 2,682,146

WATERPROOF WATCH Filed Aug. l, 1947 2 'Sheets-Sheet 2 INV NTOR #ff/@Hm MMe/fe ATTORNE Patented June 29, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEWATERPROOF WATCH Theresia M. Wachter, New York, N. Y.

Application August 1, 1947, Serial No. 765,409

7 Claims. 1

`This invention relates to Watch construction and particularly to watchcases formed of plastic material, either wholly or partly. transparent.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a Watchcase which iseffectively water, moisture and dust tight. In the preferredconstruction this isaccomplished by` making the front of the watchconstituting the crystal, and the back, sides and lower end ofwaterproof plastic or other transparent material preferably molded as aunit. The watch movement is inserted in this casing edgewise, the openend of the casing being `closed by another piece of plastic materialwhich can be sealed into the casing preferably by `theuse of atransparent plastic cement.

By making the entire casing of transparent plastic it is possible todetermine whether or not the casing is actually Waterproof and tightlysealed, If any Water leaks into the casing it can be immediatelydetected by inspection and steps taken to remedy the situation beforeany harm is done to the watch movement. The sealing of the top in thecasing by a thin layer of plastic cement is very effective andpractically invisible. It furthermore permits the watch movement to beremoved without difliculty as the sealing cement may be cut with a sharpblade or dissolved by a solvent, whereupon the movement is accessible.Resealing can be accomplished by a reapplication of cement. TheWatchcase being made of plastic material is practically rust andcorrosion proof, and the` plastic back of the watchcase, which in awrist watch comes in contact with the skin, will not rub off and causediscoloration or irritation to the skin. The plastic material isfurthermore a better heat insulator than metal so that it to some extentprotects the watch movement against sudden changes in temperature.Condensation within the case is also reduced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effective and permanentsealing means for preventing leakage around the stem of the watch, Whilestill permitting the watch to be wound and set in the usual manner.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- 4tion Will appear in thecourse of the following description of certain embodiments thereof,chosen to illustrate the principles ofthe invention.

In the drawings: y

Fig 1 is a face view of a Wrist watch embodying one form of theinvention;

` Fig. 2 is a View partly in plan and partly in sectiononjline 2-2 ofFig. l;

stituting the watch crystal cut away;

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View of the watch and case online 5-5 of Fig. 4, the

*watch movement being shown conventionally;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section 'on an enlargedv scaleof the watch stem construction;

Fig. '7 is a perspective exploded view of the watch case of the formshown in Figs. 1 to 5; .'Fig. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectionalview of a modified form of case;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of the case shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a front view of a modified form of wrist Watch construction;

Fig. l1 is a transverse sectional View on line II-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a disassembled View partly in front elevation and partly invertical section of thel construction shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse section on line l3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view showing a buoyant watch bracelet,the section being taken on liney Ill- I4 of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the watch bracelet shown in Fig. 14.

The examples of the invention illustrated in the drawings are wristwatches, but it is to be understood that the invention may be used inconnection with any other type of watch.

Referring to the form of the invention shown `in Figs. 1 to '7, a casingis provided which is preferably molded as a unitary tubular or hollowbody of plastic, comprising a watch. crystal 2B, a back 22, sides 24 anda bottom or end 25, This casing unit may be formed of one or more partscemented or welded together, but moldingl in one unit is mostYsatisfactory as it eliminates unsightly joints and the possibility ofleakage. It is also the most economical process.

The casing is preferably formed of a transparent plastic which may beeither clear or colored, suitable plastics being Lucite, Plexiglas,polystyrene or other suitable compounds, or the casing may be made ofglass, although this has the disadvantage of breaking more easily. Thetop or open end of the casing is closed by a tight fitting top piece orcover plate 218 which is also ceive the dial.

preferably made of the same transparent plastic material as the body ofthe casing, and which is cf such size to nt in the open end of thecasing and be sealed therein in any suitable manner. Preferably thesealing is accomplished by a layer of plastic cement indicated as 30 inFig. 5. layer of transparent cement may be used which is practicallyinvisible so that the entire watchcase looks likeaf body oftransparent-crystal, revealing thewatch movement, theappearance beingvery pleasing and effective. In order to hold a small amount of thecement so as to makea good seal, the top edge of the cove-r plate ispreferably beveled slightly as indicated at 32. The iit of the coverplate into the open end of the casing below this bevel is preferably aclose push fit, so that the cement is effectively prevented from gettinginto the space below the bevel. The cement being limited to thissomewhat bevelled space and to the top of the casing may readily beremoved or severed with a sharp knife blade or the like or may besoftened or dissolved with a solvent thereby permitting the cover to betaken out whenaccess to lthe watch movement is desired.

The inside of the casing and cover are preferably shaped so as toreceive and firmly hold a watch movement. In the construction shown thewatch movement is of usual tonneau form, the dial being shown asrectangular. For use with a movement of this shape the casing has athickened bottom part 34 formed with a curved surface 36 (Fig. 7) uponwhich the movement seats, there being a recess 38 between the crystaland the thickened portion. 34 to receive the edge of `the rectangularwatch dial 4D. The side walls of the casing are also providedwiththickened seating portions 42, the space 38 extending between theseportions and the crystal so as to re- The top ends` 44 of thesethickened side portions 42 formseats for receiving the corners of a seatportion 46 formed on the lower side of the cover plate 28. The curvedsurface -48 of this seat portion fits the edge of the watch movementthereby holding the same firmly within the casing when the cover plateis closed. Of

course if a round or rectangular watch movement were used the seats forthesame would be shaped to t it. By providing they seats shaped to iitthe` movement, unnecessary space within the case is nlled therebyreducing the amount f of air within the case Vand cutting downcondensation. On top of the cover plate is formed an integral neck 5Bthrough which is a hole 52 .for receiving the winding stem of the watch.

69 is the watch movement which is indicated f conventionally and with`which is connected the `winding stem 62 on the Vupper end of which issecured the usual crown cap B4 by which the watch may be wound and set..'Iihe stem serves to hold the watch movement normally in assembledrelationship with the cover plate 28 of the case so that the movement isinserted into the case at the time the cover plate is tted into the openend of the casing. .Whenthe .movement is to be removed, the seal is cutand the lifting out of the cover plate and stem removes the movementfrom the casing.

An important feature of 'the invention comprises the means for sealingthe joint between the stem of the watch vand the neck in the cover plateso as to prevent leakage at this point, while still permitting thewatchto be wound and set.

"In the construction shown a sleeve 10 which is preferably of plasticandmay be of a nature similar to the plastic of which thecasing isl con-A thin structed, and which is preferably provided with a small topflange 12, is tted closely on to the core 'i4 of the crown cap 64 intowhich the upper i .wslightly between the inner wall of the neck and core'M The neck and the sleeve both being of plastic there is a certaintemporary adherence `between thetwo, more so than there probably wouldbe between metal and plastic surfaces. A `highly effective water tightseal is thus produced, and this seal will maintain its tightness undervarying conditions of temperature, humidity, etc., because the materialof the neck and material of the sleeve lll, both parts being plastic;have the same or similar coefcients of f expansion and therefore willnotbe caused to draw away from one another due to temperature changes, etc.A permanently tight seal is thus provided. At the same time the plasticsleeve has suflicient yield so that while the seal visY tight, it isstill possible to rotate the crown cap -in the sleeve T0 for the purposeof `winding the watch, or to move itin and out to effect the setting ofthe watch. A11 this can be done without permitting any leakage. Theiiange I2 at the top of the sleeve 10 preferably fits closely againstthe inside ofthe crowncap when the crown cap and stem`62 are pushed inafter the watch has been set, and also fits against the outer end of theneck 50 as shown in Fig. 6. This helps to secure the tightness of theseal.

` It will be seen that the front `face of the curved seat portion 46 onthe cover plate, `togetherwith the faces of the parts 42 and' 35 at thesides and bottom of thel recess 38` form a ledge all the way around thecasing for receiving the margin of the Watch dial.

The `Watchcase `described above may' be used for a pocket watch ormounted in any suitable manner. In the; construction shown the case is'fitted within a bezel frame 8i) of rectangular form and having anarrcwflange 82 overlying watchcase. so as to provide an attractive 'finish'The back of the watchcase which comes in contact with the skin has nometal part'thereon, so that there is no discoloration of the Wrist. Thebezel frame 8G is provided with ears 84 carrying pins 86 to whichV areiixedthe wrist strap indicated in broken. lines. Obviously any othersuitableconstruction for attaching a strap, band or` bracelet may beemployed.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a modified construction of case in which no bezelframe is. used, 4but the case itself has slotted lugs S0 moldedintegrally therewith out of plastic material. Wrist straps vould bepassed through the slots 92 in these ugs.

A modified form of case` is shown in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive. In thisconstruction the body of the case Hi8 is preferably molded as anintegral hollow. body of plastic having a front transparent crystalportion |02, a back vH14, sides 106, and a bottom or end |08. In thisconstruction a plastic cover plate is also preferably provided, suchplastic plate being indicated at H0. This plastic plate, however; neednot be cemented into thecasing, asother means areprovidedfor'sealing thetop of the* casing. For this purpose' the casing is provided with metaltop and bottom clamping plates ||2 and 4 which fit the top and bottomends of the casing, and are firmly clamped together so as to grip thecasing between them. Any suitable construction may be used for thispurpose, As shown, the bottom plate ||4 has tubes ||6 projectingupwardly therefrom, these tubes projecting through holes ||8` formed inthe side walls of the casing. The tubes ||6 are internally threaded asindicated at,|2|1. Screws |22 pass through holes in the top plate ||2and screw into the threaded ends of the tubes |6, thereby drawing thetwo clamping plates together as forcibly as may be necessary. The topplate ||2 has a recess |24 in its lower face in which is placed asuitable resilient packing |26 of rubber, vinyl, plastic treated leatheror other suitable material which nts against the top of the wall of thecasing so that when the clamping plates are tightly screwed towards eachother this packing will effectually seal the joint at the open end ofthe casing, thereby preventing leakage. This method of sealing issatisfactory for` some purposes, but is not believed to be as eifectiveand permanent a seal as that obtained by the use of plastic cement.However, it permits access to the watch movement without the necessityof cutting the cement seal, as in the construction previously described.The joint around the watch stem may be sealed in any suitable manner.Preferably the same construction is used as in the form of casingalready described. For this purpose the closure plate lli! is providedwith a plastic neck 5|) which projects through a hole |30 in the topclamping plate ||2.

The use of the clamping plates I l2 and IM. provides a convenient meansfor mounting the watch. In the construction shown pins |46 are providedwhich may be held at their ends in recesses |42 in the top and bottomclamping plates, so that when the parts are assembled a wrist band ofany suitable type may be connected to these pins.

Figures 14 and 15 showa Wrist watch construction which is not onlywaterproof, but buoyant, so that if it becomes detached from the wristof the wearer, it will float and permit ready recovery. In theconstruction shown a watch movement |50 is employed which is preferablyof as small and light a construction as is available. This is mounted ina chamber |52 in a case |54 made of a light plastic, the movement beingsealed in the case by means of a closure plate |56 similar to thosealready described. Attached to the ends of the case are hollow wristenclosing arms |60 and |52 which are formed of light plastic and whichhave chambers of such size therein as to provide, with the space |52 inwhich the movement is mounted, sulcient buoyancy so that the wrist watchas a whole will iioat. One of the hollow arms |62 is preferably hingedto the case so that it will swing about a pivot |64 thereby permittingthe bracelet to be opened for application to the wrist. Any suitableconstruction of hinge may be used. As illustrated, a at spring |66 isprovided which bears against a nat surface |68 on the end of the pivotedarm. When the arm is swung to open position the 'spring bears againstthe surface |76 so as to hold it open until such time as it is to besnapped shut about the wearers wrist.

While I have illustrated and described in detail certain preferred formsof my invention, it

.is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the inventionembodied in other structures. I do not, therefore, desire to limitmyself to the specific constructions illustrated, but intend to cover myinvention broadly in whatever form its principle may be embodied.

What I claim is:

l. A watchcase composed of plastic including a transparent frontcomprising a crystal, a back, sides and end united to form aself-sustaining unitary casing into which a watch movement may beinserted edgewise, and a plastic closure for the open end of the casingtting tightly inside thereof, and wholly supported by its engagementtherewith, said casing and closure having like properties of expansionand contraction, whereby there is no tendency for the closure to Workloose from its tight engagement with the casing due to diierentialexpansion and contraction, the inside of the end wall of the casing andthe inside wall of the closure being shaped to provide seats forengaging the edges of a watch movement, said seats being spaced from theinside of the crystal to provide a groove for receiving the watch dial,the walls of the seats facing the groove forming a seat for the marginof the dial.

2. A watch comprising a plastic casing having a watch movement mountededgewise therein, the winding stem of the watch movement projecting outof the open end of the casing and a plastic closure for the open end ofthe casing, said closure having an integral tubular neck of plasticmaterial projecting from the top thereof through which the winding stemof the watch extends,

` and a sealing tube of plastic material tting tightly in the tubularneck and tightly surrounding a portion of the winding stem, the casing,closure, neck and sealing tube having similar properties of expansionand contraction, the closure member being wholly supported by itsengagement with the plastic walls of the casing so that there is notendency for the sealing engagement between the closure member andcasing to work loose due to differential expansion and contraction.

3. In watch construction, a casing of plastic material having a watchmovement mounted edgewise therein, said casing having an open endthrough which the watch movement may -be inserted or removed, a closureof plastic material tting in said open end and having a tubular neck ofplastic material projecting therefrom, the Winding stem of the watchmovement projecting through said tubular neck and carrying a crown caphaving a cylindrical core portion, and a sealing sleeve of slightlyelastic plastic material fitting tightly around said core portion andbeing of such diameter relative to said core portion as to be slightlyexpanded thereby, said sleeve tting tightly in the tubular plastic neckof the closure so as to seal the joint between the neck and the windingstem and crown cap, while permitting rotary and slight endwise movementof the winding stem to enable the watch to be wound and set, the casing,closure, neck and sealing tube having similar properties of expansionand contraction, the closure member being wholly supported by itsengagement with the plastic walls of the casing so that there is notendency for the sealing engagement between the closure member andcasing to work loose due to diiferential of expansion and contraction.

4. In wirst watch construction, a substantially rigid, self-sustainingplastic shell having an open end for receiving a watch movement edgewisetherein, a plastic closure tting in said open end and wholly supportedby its engagement therewith, said casing and closure having likeproperties of expansion and contraction, whereby there is no tendencyfor the closure to work loose from its tight engagement with the casingdue to difierential expansion and contraction, said shell having holesextended vertically thereof at each side of the space for the watchmovement, a clamping plate having a packing therein for fitting on thetop edge of the shell and sealing the joint between the closure memberand the shell, a second clamping member fitting against the other end ofthe shell, one of said members having internally threaded tubularportions projecting through the holes at the edges of the shell andscrews engaging the other clamping member and screwing into said screwthreaded tubular portions, and wrist strap attaching members carried bysaid clamping members, said clamping members being supported against theclamping pressure of said screws entirely by the self-sustaining plasticshell and closure,

5. A watch case construction comprising a substantially rigid,self-sustaining plastic shell open at one end for edgewise reception ofa watch movement, said shell having transverse seats formed thereinadajcent to said open end, a plastic closure member iitting tightly inthe open end of said shell and engaging said seats, said closure memberhaving an integral neck projecting therefrom for receiving the windingstem of a Watch movement, and clamping members for covering the ends ofsaid plastic shell and closure member, the member covering the end ofthe shell with the closure member fitting therein containing a packingfor sealing the joint between the closure member and shell and having ahole therein through which said neck on the closure member projects, andmeans for connecting said clamping members together and drawing themtightly against the ends of the shell and closure member.

6. A substantially rigid, self-sustaining watch case composed of plasticincluding a transparent front forming a crystal, a back, sides and endmolded as a unitary casing into which a watch movement may be insertedendwise, a `plastic closure member tting in the open end of the casing,the inside of the end wall of the casing `and the inside wall of theclosure being shaped to provide seats for engaging the edges of a watchmovement, said seats being spaced from the inside of the crystal toprovide a groove for receiving the margin of the Watch dial, the Wallsof the seats facing the groove forming a support for the margin of thedial, the inner side walls of the casing being provided with transverseseats for supporting the closure member and limiting its movement intothe casing, said closure member having an integral neck for reception ofthe winding stem of the watch, clamping mem-bers for engaging the endsof the Vcasing and closure member, the clamping member engaging theclosure member having a hole therein through which the winding stem neckpasses and containing apacking for sealing the joint between the closuremember and shell, and means for connecting said clamping memberstogether and drawing them tightly against the ends of the shell andclosure member.

7. A watch case for a Watch movement of nonrectangular outline having asubstantially rectangular dial of larger area than the movement so as toprovide a projecting dial edge surrounding the movement, said casecomprising a substantially rectangular rigid self-sustaining casing ofplastic including a transparent front forming a crystal, a back, sidesand end molded as a unitary casing into which the watch movement maybeinserted endwise, a plastic closure member fitting in the open end ofthe casing, the inside end wall of the casing and the inside wall of theclosure being shaped to conform to the outline of the watch movement soas to provide seats forengaging the edges of the movement, saidseatsproviding thickened portions reinforcing the corners of the casingto increase the rigidity thereof, said seats being spaced from theinside of the crystal to provide a groove for receiving the margin ofthe Watch dial, the walls of the seats facing the groove forming asupport for the margin of the dial, the inner side walls of the casingbeing provided with transverse seats for supporting the closure memberand limiting its movement into the casing, said closure member having anintegral neck for the reception of the winding stem of the watch, andmeans for sealing the closure member in the casing, said casing andclosure member having like properties of expansion and contraction, theclosure member being wholly supported by vits engagement with theplastic walls of the casing so that there is no tendency for the sealingengagement between the closure member and casing to work loose due todiierential expansion and contraction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 969,680 Worrell Sept. 6, 1910 1,340,003 Benjamn et al May 11I1920 2,260,835 Haapanen et al. Oct. 28, 1941 2,302,340 Morf Nov` 17,1942 2,465,571 Boninchi Mar. 25, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 115,559 Switzerland July 1, 1926 507,868 Great Britain June 22,1'939 213,951 Switzerland June 16,1941

